"Go Green" Fashion Show

On Friday, Aug. 19, second-year Fashion Merchandising students took their creations to the runway. The assignment was simple: create a wearable garmet using something other than fabric without sewing. The result was anything but ordinary!

Balloons, paint swatches, party supplies, electrical tape, books and magazines were just a few of the items included in this "Go Green" collection. Fashion shows were held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. with students, faculty and parents voting on their favorites.

First place for the morning show was awarded to Madison Culley (Red Mountain High School) for her "Blue Bombshell" dress made of tissue paper and paper plates.

In the afternoon, Hailee Heighton (Apache Junction) took top honors for her "Belle Princess" dress made of tissue paper and plastic liner.

Congratulations to all of the students on their extremely creative designs!

Culinary students impress celebrity judges

Today's the first day of school at EVIT, but that didn't stop second-year culinary students Brandy Rennic (Apache Junction) and Chelsea Hacker (Apache Junction) from showing off their skills!

On Saturday, Aug. 6, Rennick and Hacker were selected by instructor Chef Turcotte to compete in an "Iron chef" type event at the Sanctuary Resort as part of a "Lunch and Learn" event hosted by Tram Mai of Channel 12.

With a 15-minute time limit, the mystery ingredients were revealed and the students went to work creating their own salad for celebrity judges Eddie Matney and Michael DeMaria.

Meanwhile, event attendees enjoyed a four-course lunch that was prepared with the help of additional EVIT students in the Sanctuary kitchen.

When it was time to judge...the salads created were too delicious to pick a winner, so it was called a tie!

The excitement of a new school year

In just a few days, the EVIT grounds and classrooms will be buzzing with more than 3,000 students. But, before the bell rings on Monday morning marking the official start of school, teachers are back on campus a few days this week.

Yesterday, the entire EVIT staff (teachers, administrators, support staff, maintenance workers, etc) came together for a day of in-service training. It's really a special opportunity to have everyone together at the same place and same time. The morning kicked off with an inspiration speech from Superintendent Dr. Downey, followed by the introduction new staff members and teachers and a sharing of summer adventures and accomplishments.

It's amazing how many cool places EVIT staff traveled over the summer, from Italy to month-long road trips, and the number of amazing accomplishments by our students, such as taking 2nd place in EMT at Skills USA Nationals and 1st place in Fashion Design at FCCLA (see post below).

Following the morning session, the group was divided up by birthdays then matched with a fellow co-worker at random. We then loaded on to a school bus (or van) for a special field trip and lunch at the new East campus near Power and Warner Roads.

While there was still some construction activity and furniture being moved in, it was quite impressive. My favorite rooms were the aviation classrooms, with a spectacular view of ASU Polytechnic and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in the distance. From the outside of the building it looks like an aviation tower with windows streching from nearly floor to ceiling. Other cool features include a rooftop garden, courtyard water feature and 150-seat auditorium with stadium seating. In addition to aviation, there will also be some health classes offered on the East campus.

The afternoon wrapped up back on the main campus with short presentations from various departments, such as the business office and public relations. While everyone left a bit exhausted from the amount of information and hot day, it was fun and a great chance to meet new people. There is definitely a vibe of excitement in the air and I have a feeling it's going to be a fantastic year!

Gold medal awarded to fashion design student

Congratulations to Landry Low, a Fashion Merchandising student in Kristen Johnson's class. She was awarded the coveted Gold medal for Fashion Design at this year's FCCLA competition in Anaheim, Calif.

During her time in California, she also met Wesley Nault and Daniel Feld from Season 5 of Project Runway. They were so impressed that she was offered an opportunity to intern with them when she moves to New York for school. Way to go Landry and Kristen!

3D Summer Service Learning

This summer, a group of approximately 12 students participated in a four-week summer service learning program taught by Mr. Perez and sponsored by Kids Who Care, Inc.

High school juniors and seniors learned how to use digital technology such as animation, graphic design and production software techniques. They utilized these skills to create charts, posters and presentations on topics they are passionate about such as teen suicide, drug abuse and game addition.

Students also took a field trip to the Microsoft store in Scottsdale where they learned hands-on about Kodu gaming software and the newest products on the market.

Space is still available for fall classes! Sign up during Registration Days on July 27 and 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, call 480-461-4000 or visit http://www.evit.com/.

Photo: Student John Guerrero works on a graphic for his Prescription Drug Abuse presentation.

EVIT Automotive Students host Free Car Care Clinic

On Saturday, April 30th EVIT Automotive Technology students will host a car care clinic from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Under the guidance of their instructors the students will check and diagnose the cars' vitals. Each car will have its brakes and alignment tested. The electrical system and engine will be scanned. All fluids will be checked on each vehicle as well as the air pressure in the tires.

This gives the students an opportunity to diagnose real problems on real cars and offers an important service to the customer.

Come to EVIT at 1601 W Main Street in Mesa on Saturday, April 30th between 9:00 - 1:00 and take advantage of this service. If you have any questions, call 480 461 4000.

Aviation students meet Air Force crew

EVIT aviation students met the crew from the U.S. Air Force's 55th Electronic Combat Group, which recently returned from active duty in Afghanistan and is based in Tucson.

The crew's mission is electronic detection and the jamming of enemy locations and radio transmissions. They can locate everything from cell phone traffic to the signal necessary to detonate some roadside bombs.

"It was a real pleasure to hear from the crew about their jobs and their aircraft," aviation instructor Lou Amadee said. "They were very eager and hospitable about showing the students around and answering their questions."

When Construction and Interior Design collide

EVIT Construction and Interior Design students are putting the finishing touches on their miniature houses this week in preparation for the Block of Dreams Open House coming up on April 28th.


The Construction students have spent the entire school year constructing the two-room homes, and now the Interior Design students are adding their own special flair with paint and decor.


To get an idea of the final result, check out last year's houses here. Hope to see you all on the 28th!

Cosmo students give kids the royal treatment

About 40 EVIT cosmetology students helped create a magical experience for 80 children from Hope Kids and March of Dimes last week.

The EVIT students partnered with the nonprofits and Disney on Ice to give the children "prince and princess" makeovers, complete with hairstyles, glitter and costumes.


Once the children were looking great, they were taken by limo for a special lunch before attending the Disney on Ice show.


"This experience changed some of the EVIT students forever," cosmetology instructor Pam Devine said. "Seeing the children's excitement and appreciation; our students were so inspired by them."

EVIT collision repair students turn car into airplane

EVIT Aviation Director Capt. Al Mittelstaedt went to the collision repair students earlier this year with an interesting request: "Can you make my car look like an airplane?"

Their answer? "Sure!"

Five weeks later, Capt. Mittelstaedt has a very unique mode of transportation:


The students opted for a WW2-style plane, complete with rivets, machine gun, dirt and rust.

Now he's sure to make an impression when he's out recruiting new aviation students.

Biotech students soak up info at symposium

EVIT biotechnology students learned all about nanotechnology and early cancer detection at the recent Mesa Community College Biotechnology Symposium.


High school and college biotechnology students from across the state attended the symposium at Mesa Community College. They participated in round table discussions with scientists and professionals in the biotechnology industry.

The EVIT biotechnology class had almost 100 percent participation: That's pretty great for a Saturday!

The final countdown

About 350 EVIT students still have perfect attendance with just 7 weeks to go in the school year. That means they are still in the running to win a 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck. Or maybe a 2011 Chevy Cruze!

Perfect attendance students gathered today for their quarterly assembly, where there were the usual shenanigans.


Now, it's crunch time. How many will be left standing at the end of the year? Who will win the vehicles?

EVIT students act like "victims"

Four EVIT EMT students worked as "victims" in a mock casualty drill earlier this month aimed at preparing local public service agencies for mass emergencies.


The students acted as victims of a mass shooter loose on the Arizona State University campus. They were found, "treated" and transported by EMS crews to area hospitals.

The kids had a great time and each earned a letter of recognition from PMT Ambulance.

Where creativity and science collide

EVIT Health Occupations students beefed up their science and creativity skills in the Second Annual Neuron Challenge last week. Students were challenged to create an illustration of a neuron, using all sorts of materials, from Twizzlers and Twinkies to pipe cleaners and brooms (yes, brooms).

Students had to label their neuron's muscle, dendrites, cell body, nucleus, node, myelin, and axon branch.
It was difficult to narrow down the 30-40 projects to just a handful of winner. They all looked so good (some even smelled good). Several were worthy of honorable mentions:

But a few stood out as being the most well-executed and creative:

And the Grand Prize Winner....

If you can't tell in the picture, the cell body is a plate of spaghetti, the nucleus is a meatball, the dendrites are forks ... and the guy with the chef's hat? That's the muscle. Ha!

More photos are here. Well done, students!

EVIT aviation students fly to new heights

Two EVIT aviation students will be flying high this summer - at the Experimental Aviation Association's Air Academy.

Jacob Sanders and Jeremy Norris are two of just four students chosen from the state of Arizona to attend the academy, held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Both students received full scholarships to attend, thanks to Copperstate.

EVIT aviation instructor Lou Amadee said the students are grateful for the opportunity.

"Needless to say, they are very excited and looking forward to being a part of one of the largest aviation events in the nation," Mr. Amadee said.

The perfect attendace truck is here!

EVIT students with perfect attendance will have the chance to win this at the end of the school year:


Steve Marley, service manager at Thorobred Chevrolet, dropped off the truck and passed the keys over to EVIT Campus Director James Fisher on Monday.

Now, it's up to the EVIT automotive and collision repair students to look it over and give it a fresh coat of a paint and an updated look.

This school year is extra special for perfect attendance students because they'll have two chances to win a vehicle. EVIT seniors with perfect attendance will also be in the running to win a brand new Chevy Cruze as part of General Motors' Chevy Drive for Perfection Contest.

The drawing will take place May 23rd.

Valley chefs "spice" things up at EVIT

Ten top Valley chefs donated their time and talent to help students whip up a beautiful gourmet dinner at the East Valley Institute of Technology Thursday night.


The chefs were participating in the school's annual Mystery Chef Dinner, which raises money for culinary student scholarships. Each year, the dinner has a different theme. Last year's theme was "cheese"; this year, it was "spice."


EVIT culinary students were hard at work all night, cooking, hosting and serving.


What a great event! Thanks to all the chefs who made the dinner extra special. To see more pictures from the night, click here.